Support pours in for Falmouth dock worker crushed by falling steel

The father of a Penryn football player crushed by falling steel at Falmouth Docks has thanked well-wishers for their messages of support.

Mark Simmons, known as Simmo, who plays for Penryn Athletic, has undergone several operations after |sustaining a broken wrist, ankle and pelvis and a broken vertebra when part of a steel rack collapsed onto him and |co-worker Phil Williams on Wednesday.

His father, Kenny, who is the club |president, told the Packet: “I want to thank all the family and all our friends for their kind support and cards and all the nice messages.”

He also said that A&P Falmouth had given the family “very good” support |following the incident.

Mark’s family, including Kenny and his wife Hilary, Mark’s fiancée Sarah Tresidder and his ten-month old |daughter Emme, have been travelling to and from Derriford Hospital to support him as he undergoes a series of |operations.

Kenny, a retired dock worker himself, said: “Hopefully he’ll be coming back down here soon, but the main thing is they get him better.”

Mark, who works in the iron yard, and co-worker Phil both suffered broken bones when the steel rack in a steel stock area at the docks collapsed onto them at around 10am last Wednesday, trapping Mark.

Crash rescue equipment was used to release them, and Mark was airlifted to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, while Phil was taken by ambulance to the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro.

“A&P Falmouth will be conducting a full investigation into the circumstances of the incident, and have informed all the relevant authorities.”

Friends have also been wishing Mark a speedy recovery. People writing on a football forum for the Duchy and Trelawney Leagues, including Wendron and Chacewater football clubs and Redruth United, have been wishing him well.

One forum member, Fal lad, wrote: “Hopefully a fast and safe recovery for Simmo, horrible to hear when an accident like that happens to a hard working guy. All the best from everyone at Mabe.”

Another, Pitty, posted: “Get well soon Simmo a true Penryn legend,” and a third, St Darren, added: “Best of luck in your recovery Simmo, you got a family that need you.”

One of Mark’s team mates, Bushy, said: “I’ve been Simmo’s team mate for quite a few years, absolute gent. Does so much for the team on and especially off.

“Does the kit, cleans changing rooms, marks the pitch in etc. Without him the club would really struggle.

“Brilliant player to have in your team always 100 per cent. Hope for a speedy recovery Simmo. One of the unsung heroes for sure.”

It was decided that a memorial football match, which was organised by Mark, should go ahead as scheduled last Sunday morning.

The fourth annual Sunday league reunion day in memory of Steven ‘Vernon’ Curtis, was played at Penryn’s Kernick Road ground.

Janinne ‘Curtis’ Augarde wrote on the event’s Facebook page: “After what has been a truly awful week for Simmo, Sarah and all that know him, it has been decided that he would not want [it] cancelled, especially after all the hard work he has put in.”

Following the game, she added: “Such a shame that Simmo couldn’t make it, but he organised the day, like every year, fantastically.”